DATA ANALYSIS

Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. By using SPSS the researcher specifically looked at skewness and kurtosis of the frequency and distribution of scores. Outliers were also identified. Cronbach’s alpha was calculated to determine the internal consistency of the tests. The researcher further used a mixed

59 experimental group and the control group. A significant value of p<0.05 between groups would confirm the research hypotheses. Professor Kidd, who is employed at the centre of statistical consultation at Stellenbosch University, analysed the data of the current study. 4.8 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

According to Mouton (2001, p. 243), “all subjects have basic rights” within a research environment. Permission was sought from the Department of Psychology at Stellenbosch University (see Addendum H) and the Research Ethics Committee: animal care and use (see Addendum G). Permission was also asked from the Western Cape Education

Department (see Addendum I), the school who had participated in the study (see Addendum J) and the parents of the participants (see Addendum K). The following ethical procedures were implemented while conducting the current study: informed consent, anonymity, participant withdrawal, confidentiality and counselling services.

All participants have the right to make an informed decision when taking part in research, thus it is important for the researcher to explain the foreseeable advantages and

disadvantages of the research (Mouton, 2001). The researcher made use of informed

consent by the parents of the participants as the participants themselves are unable to give it themselves. The participants are under 18 years old and due to their mental status they are seen as minors (Mouton, 2001). The parents had to agree to the voluntary participation on behalf of their child or children.

It is important to take note of the sensitivity of gaining the permission of the children (Fargas- Malet, McSherry, Larkin & Robinson, 2010). Previously various techniques have been used to ask the permission of children with learning disabilities as they are seen as vulnerable participants (Fargas-Malet et al., 2010). Due to the sensitivity of asking the child’s

permission, an assent form was used in the current study (see Addendum K). The assent form was set up by using a picture, colour and minimal wording. The teachers were asked to

60 give each learner the page and explain to them that the dog would be visiting. By agreeing to have the dog visit, and ticking the appropriate box, assent was given.

Furthermore, signs of any discomfort the child might have had during the intervention programme were closely observed. Should a child be scared, uninterested in the dog or refused to take part, the researcher would have excused the child from the programme and refer the child to the school psychologist, Ms Chrisna Richards (email:

[email protected]). The researcher ensured that the informed consent form given to the parents included stating the anonymity of the information that they gave to the researcher as well as confidentiality of any safety and emergency contact information. It was the intention of the researcher to maintain the anonymity of all participants in the study (Mouton, 2001). The researcher required to have personal details of the children who

participated in the current study. The researcher intended to use this information for conducting the research only and not for reporting any data. The data received from the participants was kept confidential under security key and password which only the

researcher has access to. The confidentiality of the participants and the data was maintained by the researcher and can only be asked to do the same by any volunteers and assistants involved in the study.

Participants could withdraw at any time during the research and they had the right to counselling services that were made available to them (Mouton, 2001).One participant felt uncomfortable before the visitation started and withdrew from the study. The learner was immediately dismissed and followed no consequences with regards to the study. If they felt any discomfort or felt the need to receive any additional counselling services, it was the intention of the researcher to provide them access to such services. The school had made their counselling services on the premises available to the study in case of any discomfort. Although it was the teachers who completed the questionnaires, it is important to take note

61 that it was the learners who received the intervention with the animals. Therefore, if at any point a learner was uncomfortable or disruptive with the animals, withdrawal was

implemented accordingly. It was not the intention of the researcher to force any learner or child to be a part of the study against his or her will. In the case of any allergic reactions which might have come to light, the researcher would have assisted the child to the psychologist’s office. At the office the child could receive the appropriate medical care and treatment by the school nurse, Sr M Rademeyer (021 903 4178). The researcher also took with extra disinfectant wipes that were used for the learners to wipe their hands after each session.

Volunteers and their dogs from the organisation Pets as Therapy were used. Pets as Therapy is a registered organisation who has all their animals evaluated and assessed with their owners. They are also insured for any risk or injury to them and their animals. The owners of the dogs also had to give consent for the participation of their dogs (see Addendum M). In addition, it is important to also note that animals can often be

unpredictable and therefore it is evident that the current study does take on a medium risk threshold. The organisation was required to first evaluate the school in which the intervention would take place before any visitations started. Furthermore, it is also important to take note that the organisation will continue services to the school and all the learners after the

intervention took place. The current study applied for animal ethical clearance as well to ensure that the dogs used in the current study were used without doing any harm onto them.

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CHAPTER 5

RESULTS